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The unrest erupted after the government blocked access to more than a dozen platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, citing new regulations meant to supposedly stop the spread of misinformation. Government officials said companies had been warned repeatedly to register, but failed to comply.Protesters, largely young men, defied curfews and clashed with police in the streets of Kathmandu. Military helicopters were deployed as fires broke out across the city, including at the historic Singha Durbar palace complex. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas but were eventually forced to retreat as crowds overran the parliament building, The Times of India reports.
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The scale of the violence prompted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. A four-time head of government, Oli cited the country’s “extraordinary situation” and said he stepped down “to allow further efforts toward a constitutional political solution.”
Critics of the ban say the measure is an attack on free expression and part of wider anger over corruption and distrust of political elites. The Kathmandu Post wrote, “This isn’t just about social media – it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent.”
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Protesters carried signs demanding “an end to corruption,” and crowds stormed multiple government properties. Vehicles were torched and debris littered the streets.Officials issued a statement urging calm following Oli’s resignation. “We sincerely urge all citizens to remain calm and avoid further damage to life and property,” the government said. “We also call on all concerned parties to seek a swift and peaceful resolution through political dialogue.